Picture this: Christmas morning, 1998. The soft glow of those multi-colored Christmas lights, your dad holding a big black trash bag to rustle up all the holiday paper, and the unmistakable excitement of knowing you’re about to open up the coolest gifts to play with your friends & family. Take us back!
The 90s were an epic time for holiday gifts that weren't just presents but portals to pure joy. And if you’re a 90s kid turned parent, you may be feeling the urge to spark that same wide-eyed wonder you once felt back in the day with your kids. There's just something special about sharing a piece of your childhood with your own kids. It’s a chance for them to see you as a person, not just Mom or Dad, and to say, "This is what made me smile when I was your age."
So let's take a nostalgic trip down memory lane and rediscover some totally awesome gifts that still rock as stocking stuffers today!
Eternal Classics:
Did any of these ever really go out of style? If so, we’re here to bring them back for 2024.
- Silly Putty: Who else remembers the pure magic of Silly Putty? Just looking at those little red eggs brings back a flood of memories. While today’s kids might be all about slime, Silly Putty will always be the OG (and way less messy!) If you’re looking for a classic stocking stuffer that won’t have you ripping your hair out trying to clean it up, this is the one.
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The Original Slinky®: Some toys are classics for a reason, and the Slinky is one that never goes out of style. There’s something magical about watching it tumble down the stairs, giggling as it snakes its way across the floor. With no batteries, no instructions — just pure, simple fun — it’s the perfect stocking stuffer to spark smiles on Christmas morning. Watch your kids’ faces light up as they experience the timeless joy of a true classic!
- A Koosh Ball: Before fidget spinners, the Koosh Ball reigned supreme. Those colorful, stretchy, perfectly-soft balls were the ultimate sensory experience. We can’t even count how many hours we spent stretching, squishing, and playing with one — there was something so satisfying about it that no other toy could match. Today’s kids will be just as fascinated, and you’ll get a nostalgic kick out of introducing them to this blast from your childhood past.
Collectible Coolness
Stocking stuffers that you can’t just buy one of:
- Furbys: Furbys were either one of your favorite toys growing up or the toy whose eyes you can still feel staring back at you. Either way, owning one was sort of a rite of passage. With their quirky personalities and interactive features, they responded to sound, touch, and even other Furbys, which made them feel like you had your own live-in friend. Today, Furbys are experiencing a renaissance, making them a fun and unique gift for kids. You can even shop for a Furby in their favorite color or a glow-in-the-dark version.
- Beanie Babies: Before crypto, there were Beanie Babies. At their peak, they sparked an obsession so intense that collectors are still on the hunt for rare editions today. Beanie Babies helped teach our entire generation about the thrill of collecting, the concept of value, and the joy of discovering a hidden gem while playing pretend. Now, they serve as a nostalgic reminder of simpler times—and their colorful, quirky designs can still make a cute addition to any holiday stocking and to decorate your kids’ bedrooms.
- Barbie: Raise your hand if you still have a Holiday Collection Barbie somewhere in your house! After last year’s Barbenheimer craze, Barbie’s back in a big way, and these iconic dolls have become even more sought-after as holiday collectibles. Whether it's the sparkling gown, the signature box, or that special nostalgia factor, Holiday Barbies are the perfect gift that blend timeless charm with the spirit of the season.
Tech Throwbacks with Modern Twists
Some tech innovations were so good, we just can’t let them go:
- Tamagotchi: The digital pet that started it all. Remember the tiny screen, the constant beeping to feed it, the absolute devastation when you inevitably lost it? Fun times! Tamagotchi wasn’t just a toy; it was a lesson in care and responsibility wrapped in a brightly colored, pixelated package. Modern versions now come with updated features, revamped programming, and Wi-Fi connectivity while still capturing that same 1997 charm you remember and loved. Kids can even have fun characters like Buzz and Woody from Toy Story or Baby Yoda from Star Wars’ The Mandalorian.
Pro Tip for Parents: Use the Tamagotchi as a conversation starter about responsibility. Challenge your kids to keep their digital pet alive longer than you did!
- Cosmo Smartwatch: Gone are the days of hitting up Sam Goody (or Circuit City—we loved both!) to grab the latest CD and flip through album artwork while memorizing every song. Or maybe not! Music discovery just got a modern upgrade with our all-new JrTrack 4 kid-safe smartwatch. With our Parent Portal, you can add Spotify and Spotify Kids to their watch, and your littles can listen to their favorite songs right on their wrist. It’s like the throwback Walkman experience, but with peace of mind. Who’s ready for a dance party?
- Polaroid Camera: Help your little ones capture memories with that delightful 90s sepia-toned aesthetic. Before smartphones, polaroid cameras were our windows to preserving moments, taping the photos to our fridge or putting them in photo albums for keepsakes. Today, they represent something deeper, the intentionality of disconnecting and holding on to memories with loved ones. This Mini Polaroid Instant Camera is the perfect way to create those moments with your kids.
Pro Tip for Parents: This gift could segway into a newly cherished activity, like scrapbooking! Your kids can creatively design notebook pages with Polaroid photos, stickers, and drawings, and you’ll love seeing which moments they deem the most important to them.
- Mix modern tech with retro vibes in a small electronic game
- Write a note including a personal story about your own childhood and how much fun you had!
Here's to the 90s, the decade that shaped us and taught us how to have fun and be imaginative. May your stocking stuffers this year be totally rad! 🎄
